I illustrated the poem as an assignment for Wayne Harris's picture book workshop at a final week at WestWords. First, I played around colours and composition. “Fresh! So fresh!!” Wayne gave me very positive feedback to the bee. He used my rough to explain about the features of watercolour painting and printing. Second, I put a curious boy in the illustration. Here we go!
Bee! I'm expecting you! Emily Dickinson
Bee! I’m expecting you!
Was saying Yesterday
To Somebody you know
That you were due—
The Frogs got Home last Week—
Are settled, and at work—
Birds, mostly back—
The Clover warm and thick—
You’ll get my Letter by
The seventeenth; Reply
Or better, be with me—
Yours, Fly.
Re the second image, below, Wayne praised at the boy’s body language, composition and
light. Then, he suggested me not to put too much information and
reduce blue in a sky, when I would illustrate this boy. Wayne defined an appropriate target group age setting, 6 to 8 years children, middle age. Little children will not be able to understand why the bee looks
bigger in the foreground, while the boy is smaller in the middle ground. Also, in my rough, I put colours on only the necessary area, around the boy's face. Thus, this image well sends the message of the poem and the curiosity of the boy. Wayne liked this style.
Thank you very much, Wayne Harris! Each student enjoyed his feedback. He taught us with care
and kindness. It's so useful to join workshops run by such established and experienced artists.
This class will keep up friendship and study about picture book workshop, regularly, at WestWords. I’ll learn more. Many people, publishers and the acclaimed give sweet comments on the bee's image on my facebook. Thank you.
You, too, enjoy illustration and life!
Friends, Happy Painting!
Bee My Baybee
